BEIJING, China - The U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball team returns to the Paralympic Games in hopes of improving its bronze medal finish from the 2004 Games. It was there, at the first-ever women's sitting volleyball Paralympic competition, the Americans beat Slovenia 3-1 (25-20, 10-25, 25-18, 25-20) at Helleniko Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece.

The team arrived in Beijing on September 1 and began practices the following day, practicing each day since. They were unable to get to the actual competition venue (China Agricultural University Gymnasium) for practice until Friday, September 5.

"Practices have gotten better every day," said Head Coach Mike Hulett (Chicago, Ill.). "We have focused on the basics and focused on getting used to the venue, which is going to be a great volleyball facility."

The U.S. will begin pool play competition on September 7, the first day of the Paralympics, taking on Lithuania at 09:30. The U.S. is 1-1 against Lithuania, losing to them at the Disabled Volleyball World Championships in 2006, but then redeeming itself at the inaugural Intercontinental Cup in Egypt earlier this year, beating them in three straight sets.

"We are prepared, finished with practice, and ready to compete," said Team Captain Brenda Maymon ( Sellersburg, Ind.). "Our goal is to win the gold and we certainly think we can. With our experience and the team morale we have, we are ready to take care of business."

The youngest of the players and first time Paralympian, 15-year old Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.) added "I'm so excited about this match because it will give us the opportunity to show to the world how good we have gotten this summer. We are ready to go."

After the initial day, Team USA will have a day of rest before competing against host country and no. 2 seed China at 17:30 on Tuesday, September 9. On the final day of pool play competition, the U.S. will play Latvia at 13:30. Once pool play has concluded, the teams will be seeded according to records for the semi-final games. The complete roster and schedule is listed below.